Page 56 of The Rebel Billionaire

“Phew, you had me going there for a moment.”

Callie is one of the few people I’ve got to know since arriving in New York. She’s also the last person I want to piss off.

I glance at the clock again. “See you in about fifty minutes.”

When I make it back to my desk, Callie is busy packing her final belongings into a box. She looks up, her eyes glistening.

“Hey,” I say, coming up and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “It’s not forever unless you choose to make it so,” I say.

“I know, I’m being stupid and emotional.”

I smile, giving her a squeeze before letting her go. “At least you can nest in peace, without having to worry about the time or deadlines. Isn’t that what pregnant women do?”

“True,” she says. “But I’m not sure how I’m going to keep myself busy. Twelve weeks seems like forever.”

I think back to Leah when she was pregnant. She worked from home right up until she went into labour. Luckily for her, Gabriel came home early that day.

“I’m sure you’ll find something to do. If not, you can always come back and have lunch with me,” I say, before realising how presumptuous it sounds.

Callie’s face brightens. “Really? I’d love that,” she says before I can revoke the invite. “Maybe next week?”

I chuckle. “I’m game if you are,” I say. “I’ll probably need some additional advice on dealing with his highness in there.”

“You’ll have him eating out of your hand in no time. Just stand your ground.”

Something in my expression must give me away.

“Honestly, you’ve got this.”

* * *

Alessandro appears at his office door right on time.

“Ready?” he asks, hoisting Callie’s box into his arms.

She’s spent the last half an hour talking with him.

She bites her lip and nods, clearly not trusting her voice.

“There you are.”

A dashing man with blond hair steps forward and takes her into his arms. She crumples against him. He closes his eyes and breathes her in. This must be David.

He looks up. “Hey, Alex.”

“David,” Alex says with a smile, watching them both. “Just in time.”

“You must be Brooke,” David says, slipping one arm from around his wife and holding it out towards me.

Callie pulls back, wiping her cheeks with the tissue in her hand. “This is Brooke,” she says, repeating his statement.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” I say, shaking his outstretched hand.

“Ah, I forgot Callie said you’re a Brit. How are you finding New York?”

“I’ve not had a chance to see much yet but…”

“Don’t let this workaholic keep you chained to the desk,” he says.